Cohoes Falls
Description
The Mohawk River drops over 90 feet over the Cohoes Falls before its confluence with the Hudson River. Historically, this has been a barrier to water navigation along the only waterlevel route through the Appalachian Mountains. Native Americans have a number of stories about navigational mishaps and the name “Cohoes” is said to be derived from Native American language meaning “falling canoe.” Europeans made the Cohoes Falls a destination. Use of the water as a source of power in the early Industrial Revolution dates back to 1831.
Votes
2012 Best Places in America
- 1 vote - Best Cultural Exhibit
Traveler Reviews
Second largest falls east of the Mississippi. So many levels of history. Native American settlement that was the birthplace of the Iroquois treaty. Also the birth of the industrial revolution with the use of this great resource for water power. Visit year round. Falls view Park open from May 1 until November 1st.
This is a must see site on the Mohawk Towpath Byway. The Cohoes Falls Overlook Park is open daylight hours from early spring through fall. The Falls can also be viewed from the park at the end of School Street any time of the year. Best time to view is when the flow in the Mohawk approaches flood stage. The thundering falls during high water is truly awesome!
